Inside San Sebastian's Newest Michelin-starred Restaurant

"At its epicenter is San Sebastian, a dot of a city that all but sparkles with Michelin stars. The newest star in that line up was awarded in late 2025 to Itzuli - a restaurant from Basque Country native, Iñigo Lavado. A short drive out of town in the hilltop village of Igeldo (with amazing views on a good day, and literally none on a cloudy one), Itzuli opened as the flagship restaurant at the five-star Hotel Luze."

"A family business, Iñigo's partner Arantxa Martínez and fellow Basque native oversees the management of the dining room, and their eldest son Julen manages the wine program, armed with a sommelier degree from the Basque Culinary Center. His two younger siblings, María and Iñigo are also both studying at the culinary school, but pick up weekend shifts in their parent's restaurant."

"The wholesome family element is far from just easy marketing fodder, and easily translates to the guest experience. Although Arantxa's handshake greeting is formal, her accompanying 'Welcome to our home!' is anything but. Several hours and even more courses later, the restaurant matriarch bids farewell with a kiss on each cheek."

San Sebastian in Spain's Basque Country has emerged as a premier culinary destination, rivaling traditional tourist hotspots with its exceptional food scene. Itzuli, a newly Michelin-starred restaurant opened in 2025 at the five-star Hotel Luze in the hilltop village of Igeldo, represents chef Iñigo Lavado's homecoming to his native region. Lavado previously established his career in San Sebastian before opening his first solo restaurant in Irun near the French border. The restaurant operates as a family enterprise, with partner Arantxa Martínez managing the dining room and their children contributing to operations and wine programming. The tasting menu features avant-garde plating alongside approachable, familiar flavors, creating an unpretentious dining experience despite its sophisticated presentation.

Read at Elite Traveler